What is the meaning of the phrase ‘raring to go’?
Very eager and enthusiastic to get started on something.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘raring to go’?
The idiom ‘raring to go’ is believed to have originated in the 1800s and 1900s. Between 1833 and the early 1900s the word “rare” was used as a variant to the word “rear”, which means to “rise up”. Much like how when a horse is rearing up on its hind legs before plunging forward to spring into a step, it is rising up, as though it is eager to get started with a journey such as a trot or a race.
This metaphor likely contributed to the development of the phrase “raring to go,” since it captures the sense of pent-up energy and excitement, conveying eagerness and readiness to start a journey or task.
The phrase is often used in everyday conversation, and in corporate contexts, and in the contexts of sports, competitions, and education. Anywhere where someone might be highly motivated and enthusiastic about starting something.
Despite its popularity, people still often get confused about whether the correct phrase is ‘raring to go’ or ‘rearing to go’. There are arguments on both sides of the debate, but ‘raring to go’ is the clear winner here, and the most widely accepted version.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘raring to go’?
During his 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama used the phrase “raring to go” to convey his enthusiasm and readiness to tackle the challenges ahead, saying “We are raring to go to bring the change America needs.”
In various Amazon shareholder letters and interviews, Jeff Bezos, the head of Amazon, has used the phrase to describe Amazon’s enthusiasm for new initiatives and projects.
Similar phrases are also to be found in literature. For example in “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger published in 1951, and in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J.K. Rowling published in 2000.
